Aerosol delivery device, article for use therewith, and method of identifying article

Abstract

To provide an aerosol delivery device, an article for use therewith, and a system and method for identifying an article.SOLUTION: An aerosol delivery device 100 comprises a chamber for receiving an article comprising an aerosolizable material for delivery by the aerosol delivery device, a transmitter 120, a receiver 130 spaced apart from the transmitter, and a processor. The processor is configured to cause the transmitter to transmit, in use, a first signal S1 through at least a portion of an article in the chamber to the receiver so that the receiver receives a second signal S2 that is the first signal modified by interacting with a signal-modifying component of the article and article data are determined by the second signal. The article includes an aerosolizable material and a signal altering component. The signal modification component is configured to modify a first signal transmitted through at least a portion of the article to a second signal indicative of the article data.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an aerosol delivery device, an article for use therewith, and a system and method for identifying the article. [Background technology]

[0002] Articles such as cigarettes, cigars, etc., burn tobacco to produce tobacco smoke during use. Attempts have been made to provide an alternative to these articles that burn tobacco by creating products that release compounds without combustion. Examples of such products are the so-called non-combustion heating products, also known as tobacco heating products or tobacco heating devices, which release compounds by heating but not burning a material. The material can be, for example, a tobacco product or another non-tobacco product, or a combination, such as a mixture, which may or may not contain nicotine. Summary of the Invention

[0003] According to some examples described herein, an aerosol delivery device is provided comprising: a chamber for receiving an article including an aerosolizable material for delivery by the aerosol delivery device; a transmitter; a receiver spaced apart from the transmitter; and a processor, the processor configured to cause the transmitter, in use, to transmit a first signal through at least a portion of the article in the chamber to the receiver such that the receiver receives a second signal, the second signal being the first signal modified by interaction with a signal-modifying component of the article, and to determine article data from the second signal.

[0004] According to some examples described herein, an article is provided that includes an aerosolizable material and a signal-modifying component, the signal-modifying component configured to modify a first signal transmitted through at least a portion of the article into a second signal indicative of article data.

[0005] According to some examples described herein, a system is provided that includes the aerosol delivery device described above and the article described above.

[0006] According to some examples described herein, a method for identifying an article in an aerosol delivery device is provided, the method including transmitting a first signal through at least a portion of the article from a transmitter to a receiver spaced apart from the transmitter, receiving a second signal at the receiver, the second signal being the first signal modified by interaction with a signal-modifying component of the article, and determining article data from the second signal.

[0007] In one example, an aerosol delivery device comprises a chamber into which a consumable can be inserted, a field generator, a field receiver spaced from the field generator, and a processor, the field generator configured to generate a field that extends across a portion of a receptacle to the field receiver, and the processor configured to identify a field change in the field receptor in response to insertion of a consumable including a field-modifying component into the receptacle, and to determine which of a plurality of field-modifying components the consumable includes based on the identified change.

[0008] Further characteristics and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of preferred embodiments of the invention, given by way of example only, made with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of an aerosol delivery device according to one example. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic internal side view of the aerosol delivery device of FIG. 1. [Diagram 3] FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram of an example aerosol delivery device. [Figure 4] 1 is a flow diagram of a method for identifying an article of an aerosol delivery device according to an example. [Diagram 5]1 is a flow diagram of a method for identifying an article of an aerosol delivery device according to an example. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] 1, there is shown a schematic perspective view of an exemplary aerosol delivery device 100. The aerosol delivery device 100 is arranged to volatilize at least one component of an aerosolizable material.

[0011] The aerosol delivery device 100 includes a housing 180 and a receptacle 110, such as a chamber, cavity, or holder.

[0012] The receptacle 110 receives a consumable 200, such as an article including an aerosol-generating material (aerosolizable material), from which an aerosol can be generated, for example, by applying heat to the aerosolizable material. The consumable 200 can be an article including an aerosol-generating material for delivery by an aerosol delivery device. The consumable 200 can be a tobacco heating product (THP) article.

[0013] As used herein, the terms "aerosol-generating material" and "aerosolizable material" refer to a material that upon the application of energy (e.g., heating), provides volatilized components in the form of an aerosol. In some embodiments, the aerosol-generating material can include a tobacco component, which is any material that includes tobacco or a derivative thereof. The tobacco component can include one or more of ground tobacco, tobacco fiber, cut tobacco, extruded tobacco, tobacco stems, reconstituted tobacco, and / or tobacco extract. Other types of aerosolizable materials can include leaf materials, grass materials, or organoleptic materials such as those used in aromatherapy. In some embodiments, the aerosol-generating material can include a tobacco substitute.

[0014] In this example, the aerosol delivery device 100 also has a cover 160. The cover 160 is movable to cover the receptacle 110 when no item, such as a consumable 200, is present in the receptacle 110. In other examples, the aerosol delivery device 100 may not include the cover 160.

[0015] The aerosol delivery device 100 also has a power button 150. In use, when the aerosol delivery device 100 is switched on using the power button 150, for example in response to pressing the power button 150, power from a power source (such as a battery within the device 100) is provided to various components of the device and power is allowed to flow to a heater, which results in heating of the consumable 200 and generation of an aerosol flow from the consumable 200.

[0016] As illustrated in FIG. 2, an example of an internal side view of the aerosol delivery device 100 of FIG. 1 is shown. The receptacle 110 of the aerosol delivery device 100 contains a consumable 200. The consumable 200 has a signal-modifying component 220. The signal-modifying component 220 of the consumable 200 can be at least one of a shield, a susceptor, a conductor, a grating / refractor, a signal reflector, and a polarizer. The signal-modifying component 220 can modify at least one of a signal strength (or intensity), a signal polarization, a signal frequency, a signal wavelength, and a signal direction. It should be understood that how the signal-modifying component 220 modifies the signal (discussed below) depends on the specific signal-modifying component 220 present in the consumable 200.

[0017] The aerosol delivery device 100 of this example includes a transmitter 120 and a receiver 130 spaced apart from the transmitter 120. The aerosol delivery device 100 also includes device circuitry 140 coupled to the transmitter 120 and the receiver 130. The device circuitry 140 can include a processor.

[0018] The terms "transmitter" and "receiver" are used to refer to components capable of transmitting and receiving signals in the general sense that a signal from a transmitter can be detected by a receiver. The transmitter 120 can transmit at least one of an electric field, a magnetic field, a radio frequency signal, an infrared signal, a visible light signal, an ultraviolet signal, and an audible or acoustic signal. For example, the transmitter 120 can be an LED transmitting visible light, infrared light, and / or ultraviolet light, or a radio frequency transmitter. In another example, the transmitter 120 can be a field generator including a charge carrying wire (to generate a magnetic field) or a capacitor plate (to generate an electric field). In another example, the transmitter 120 can be a transducer, for example a transducer for generating sound waves. The sound can be, for example, an ultrasonic wave having a frequency below about 20 kHz and audible to humans, or an ultrasonic wave having a frequency above about 20 kHz. It should be understood that the types of transmitters 120 and receivers 130 are selected to be receptive to the effects of a selected signal modifying component 220 or to changes in a signal affected by one or more signal modifying components 220 present in a single or multiple consumables 200.

[0019] In use, when the transmitter 120 generates an electric or magnetic field, a corresponding signal (first signal) is generated in the receiver. This first signal is the signal that would be generated without the signal-modifying component 220. The generated signal can be measured, for example, by measuring the current flow or the total capacitance between the transmitter 120 and the receiver 130. When the consumable 200 with the signal-modifying component 220 is positioned between the transmitter 120 and the receiver 130 in the receptacle 100 of the aerosol delivery device 100, the coupling of the electric or magnetic field to the receiver 130 is altered.

[0020] In one example, the dielectric constant between the plates of a capacitor formed by the transmitter 120 and receiver 130 is altered by the signal-modifying component 220, allowing a specific capacitance or change in capacitance to be detected.

[0021] In another example, the inductive coupling between the transmitter 120 and the receiver 130 is modified by a signal-modifying component, such as by changing the magnetic permeability of the medium between the elements. The change in coupling causes a change in the current induced in the receiver 130 (second signal), which can be used to determine consumable data.

[0022] A characteristic associated with the receiver 130, such as a current flowing through the receiver or a characteristic of the signal received, can be measured for only the second signal (i.e., the first signal modified by the signal modifying component 220) or can be measured both when the receiver receives the first signal (i.e., when there is no consumable in the chamber) and when the receiver receives the second signal. If both the first and second signals are measured by the receiver 130, a change in the characteristic associated with the receiver can be determined and associated consumable data can be derived from the change. A look-up table can be stored in memory and used to determine the consumable data associated with the second signal or the determined change. In other implementations, a processor in the device 100 can be configured to perform a similar comparison using a drive signal for the transmitter 120 (which can be the same as or at least correspond to the first signal) and the received signal (i.e., the second signal).

[0023] The receiver 130 may be at least one of an electric field receptor, a magnetic field receptor such as a susceptor, a signal receptor (such as an RF receptor), and an acoustic receptor. For example, the receiver may be at least one of a capacitor plate, a wire such as an uncharged carrying wire, an antenna, and a microphone.

[0024] 2 indicate communication couplings between the transmitter 120 and the device circuitry 140, and between the receiver 130 and the device circuitry 140. The couplings may be wired or wireless. The device circuitry 140 is discussed in more detail below in connection with FIG.

[0025] As shown in FIG. 2, in this example, the transmitter 120 is located on one side of the receptacle 110 and the receiver 130 is on the opposite side of the receptacle 110. The transmitter 120 and the receiver 130 are directly opposite each other. In other examples, the transmitter and receiver can be in different relative locations, but still spaced apart from each other. For example, the transmitter and receiver can still be essentially on opposite sides of the receptacle 110, but offset from each other along the insertion axis of the consumable. The transmitter 120 and the receiver 130 can be positioned such that at least a portion of the receptacle is located between them, for example, the transmitter 120 and the receiver 130 can be radially offset from each other, such as radially offset about the insertion axis of the consumable. A radial offset can mean that a first line passing through the transmitter 120 perpendicular to the insertion axis, and a second line passing through the receiver perpendicular to the insertion axis, form an angle of less than 180° about the insertion axis.

[0026] In use, the transmitter 120 is configured to transmit a first signal S1 through at least a portion of the consumable 200 in the receptacle 110 to the receiver 130. The receiver 130 is configured to receive a second signal S2. The second signal S2 is the first signal S1 modified by interaction with the signal-modifying component 220 of the consumable 200.

[0027] The signal-modifying component 220 modifies the first signal S1 in a predetermined manner specific to the signal-modifying component 220. The modification can be a modification of a physical characteristic of the first signal. For example, the modification can be a change in at least one of the following: signal strength / intensity, signal frequency, signal wavelength, signal polarization, and signal direction. In some examples, the modification can depend on the type / strength of the signal S1. Throughout the system, there may be multiple signal-modifying components, each configured in a different predetermined manner, and a particular one of the multiple signal-modifying components can be identified based on the second signal. For example, different consumables 200 can be provided with different signal-modifying components such that the different consumables 200 can be distinguished from one another based on the modification to the first signal. This can be implemented, for example, when the different consumables include different aerosolizable materials (e.g., imparting different flavors). Thus, the device 100 is configured to identify the consumable inserted into the receptacle, and the device 100 can modify an aspect of its operation (such as a heating profile) based on the identified consumable. Exemplary signal modifying components are now described.

[0028] In a first example, the signal-modifying component 220 may include a polarizer, such as a linear polarizer, that changes the polarization of the signal S1 to a particular polarization, such as horizontal polarization, such that in this example the signal S2 is horizontally polarized. The signal S1 may be generated with a single polarization or multiple polarizations, and the signal-modifying component 220 may be configured to change the polarization(s). Each of the multiple signal-modifying components may change the polarization in a different way, such as vertical or horizontal polarization. The specific type of polarizer used depends on the wavelength of the signal S1. The wavelength of the signal S1 may be selected depending on the material used in the consumable 200 such that the signal S1 can penetrate at least a portion of the consumable 200 and the signal S1 interacts with the polarizer.

[0029] In a second example, the signal-modifying component 220 can include a component that changes the direction of at least a portion of the signal S1. For example, the signal-modifying component can be a diffraction grating or a component that causes refraction of the signal S1. The diffraction grating can change the direction of the first signal S1 by a predetermined amount or change the direction of various components of the first signal S1, which are detected by the receiver 130. The change in direction can be measured by an increase or decrease in signal power of the second signal S2 detected at the receiver 130 positioned at a known position relative to the transmitter 120. The receiver 130 can also include a sensor array, such as an image sensor, configured to sense a diffraction pattern resulting from the signal passing through the diffraction grating. The diffraction pattern can be measured by sensing a change in signal intensity in an area / plane (e.g., an area / plane of the sensing surface of the receiver 130). Each of the multiple signal-modifying components can generate a different diffraction pattern and / or change the direction of the signal by a different amount. The diffraction grating may have regular or irregular spacing (or a combination thereof) to produce a particular intensity pattern. For signal-modifying components that cause refraction of signal S1, the receiver 130 may be configured to sense the position at which signal S2 is received at the receiver 130 (again, the receiver may be a sensor array), or one or more sensors of a sensor array that includes the receiver 130 may be positioned relative to the transmitter 120 according to the amount of refraction expected for each of the different signal-modifying components 220.

[0030] In a third example, when the transmitter 120 transmits an electric field, the signal modification component 220 can include a dielectric material that changes the dielectric constant between the transmitter 120 (which transmits the electric field) and the receiver 130. In one example, the dielectric material changes the capacitance between the transmitter and the receiver. In this implementation, the dielectric material includes an aerosolizable material and / or other materials of the consumable 200. In other examples, the dielectric material is a component different from the aerosolizable material and / or other materials of the consumable 200. Each of the plurality of signal modification components can provide a different effective capacitance between the transmitter and the receiver by using different materials and / or material dimensions.

[0031] In a fourth example, the transmitter 120 can be an inductor or a similar component configured to generate a magnetic field, and the signal modification component can include a ferrite or the like to change the relative permeability between the transmitter 120 and the receiver 130. Each of the plurality of signal modification components can provide a different level of inductive coupling between the transmitter and the receiver by using different ferrite materials and / or dimensions.

[0032] In a fifth example, the signal modification component 220 can include an attenuator such as a shield, and the transmissivity of the signal modification component 220 with respect to the first signal S1 is predetermined by the attenuator. The attenuator can be a radio frequency attenuator that attenuates the first signal S1 (in this example, a radio frequency signal) by a predetermined amount. For example, the signal modification component 220 can reduce the strength of the signal of the first signal S1 by only one of 5 dB, 10 dB, and 20 dB. In another example, the attenuator can attenuate the signal from the LED (transmitter) by a predetermined amount, such as reducing the signal intensity by 25%, 50%, or 75%. It should be understood that these numerical values are shown as examples only, and different numerical values can be applied in other implementations. Each of the plurality of signal modification components can provide different levels of attenuation, for example, depending on the material and dimensions of the signal modification component.

[0033] In the sixth example, the signal modification component 220 can be a fluorescent material. In one example, the fluorescent material can emit fluorescence with a lower frequency and / or lower energy than the stimulus such as incident light. In another example, the fluorescent material can emit fluorescence with a higher frequency than the stimulus. In one example, the fluorescent material can be such that it emits fluorescence of a visible wavelength in response to incident ultraviolet light. Thus, in this example, the signal modification component 220 receives the first signal S1 as ultraviolet light and emits the second signal S2 as visible light, and thus the second signal S2 has a different wavelength (and frequency) from the first signal S1. Each of the plurality of signal modification components can provide different fluorescence responses, for example, by changing the excitation wavelength or fluorescence wavelength, depending on the selection of the material of the signal modification component. An example of the fluorescent material is pyranine. Any other suitable material showing fluorescence can be used. In some examples, the fluorescent material is a food additive, which can be beneficial to the safety of the user. Examples of food additives showing fluorescence include quinine and B2 riboflavin.

[0034] The above shows a non-exhaustive list of forms that the signal modification component 220 can take, and it should be understood that the signal modification component 220 can be arranged to modify any other measurable / detectable parameter of the signal passing through at least a part of the consumable 200. For example, by selecting an appropriate signal modification component 220 for the signal S1, the signal modification component 220 can be selected to change the phase of the signal S1 by a predetermined amount.

[0035] The signal modification component 220 can include at least two of the aforementioned signal modification elements that modify a plurality of physical characteristics of the signal S1. This enables the provision of a larger number of unique identifying characteristics. For example, if the first signal modification component can distinguish four values of the characteristics of the first signal and the second signal modification component can distinguish another four values of the characteristics of the second signal, a total of 16 unique combinations can be created. The number of values may be different from this example. For example, with 32 values for each characteristic, 1024 unique combinations can be provided. By combining the characteristics in this way, it is possible to provide a larger number of combinations while reducing the costs of the transmitter and receiver. Also, even when measuring two characteristics regarding the second signal, a lower detection sensitivity is required for each characteristic compared to achieving the same number with only a single characteristic, so the overall cost can be reduced.

[0036] As described above, the modification of the first signal S1 by the signal modification component 220 is a predetermined modification unique to the signal modification component 220. Further, the device circuit 140 is configured to determine article data such as consumable data from the second signal S2 received by the receiver 130. It is possible to associate the unique modification to the first signal by the signal modification component with the consumable data, or to associate the unique second signal itself with the consumable data.

[0037] The consumable data is at least one of the type of the consumable (for example, the type of an aerosolizable material such as gel, fluid, liquid, or solid), the fragrance or flavoring of the consumable (or the aerosol that can be generated from the consumable), the strength of the active substance (such as nicotine) released from the aerosolizable material, the identifier of the consumable (for example, batch identifier or individual identifier), and the supplier of the consumable (for example, one or more of the manufacturing facility, assembly facility, country, manufacturing date, and manufacturing time).

[0038] As an example, a change in the signal such as an increase in the signal wavelength from ultraviolet light to visible light can be associated with a certain specific signal change component. In this example, the specific signal change component can be associated with consumable data that identifies that the consumable is of the gel type and is part of a specific batch supplied from a specific manufacturing facility.

[0039] As a further example, a change in the signal such as an increase in the strength of a 10 dB signal in a radially offset receiver can be made to indirectly indicate a change in the direction of the signal away from the perpendicular. This change in the signal can be associated with a different specific signal change component and tied to a specific consumable item.

[0040] Device 100 can determine the presence of consumable 200 within receptacle 110. The presence of consumable 200 can be detected using transmitter 120 and receiver 130. When an article is present within the receptacle, the received signal changes in some way. However, the signal will change in a predetermined way only if the consumable has a known predetermined signal change component. Thus, the transmitter and receiver can operate in a first mode to detect the presence of the consumable and a second mode to interpret the received specific signal to identify the signal change component. Alternatively, the presence of consumable 200 can be detected by an independent presence sensor such as a capacitance sensor located adjacent to receptacle 110.

[0041] Next, referring to FIG. 3, an exemplary functional block diagram of a device circuit of an aerosol delivery device is shown, such as device circuit 140 of the aerosol delivery device 100 of FIGS. 1 and 2. Similar to FIG. 2, device circuit 140 is communicatively coupled to transmitter 120 and receiver 130. The dashed lines between the components indicate that the couplings can be either wired or wireless.

[0042] In this example, device circuit 140 includes processor 142, memory 144, and a power source (not shown).

[0043] The processor 142 is configured such that the transmitter 120 transmits a first signal S1 through at least a part of the consumable 200 within the receptacle 110 to the receiver 130, and the receiver 130 receives a second signal S2. As described in connection with FIG. 2, the second signal S2 is the first signal S1 that has been modified by interaction with the signal modification component 220 of the consumable 200. The processor 142 is configured to determine consumable data from the second signal S2. In one example, the receiver 130 can send a signal representing the second signal S2 to the processor 142.

[0044] As discussed in connection with FIG. 2, the modification to the first signal S is unique to the signal modification component 220. Different signal modification components modify the first signal in different ways, and thus it is possible to identify the signal modification component (and associated consumable data) based on the determined modification to the first signal.

[0045] The memory 144 stores consumable data regarding a plurality of consumables and corresponding signal modification data regarding a plurality of signal modification components. In other implementations, it is possible to couple the device 100 to a communication network and the determination of the signal modification component can be performed remotely from the device 100. A particular plurality of signal modification components can be assigned to a particular group of consumables or to individual consumables. When the identification of the signal modification component of the consumable is performed by identifying the modification of the signal made to the first signal or directly from the second signal, it becomes possible to determine the consumable data regarding the consumable by searching for the predetermined modification of the signal or the second signal within the memory 144.

[0046] For example, the signal change data stored by the memory 144 can be a predetermined change of a signal brought about by the configuration of various signal change components. The predetermined change of the signal can include changes stored in the memory 144, such as factory settings during manufacturing. The memory 144 can also store reference signal data representing the signal received when the consumable 220 with the signal change component 220 is not present in the receptacle. In one example, the reference signal data can correspond to the signal data associated with the first signal S1.

[0047] During use, in order to determine consumable data from the second signal S2, the processor 142 can compare the first signal S1 with the second signal S2 and determine the change of the first signal S1 by the signal change component 220. As an alternative, the processor 142 can directly compare the second signal with the stored reference signal to determine the change by the signal change component. The stored reference signal can be the signal received by the receiver 130 when the consumable 220 with the signal change component is not present in the receptacle of the delivery device 100, or can be (or based on) the drive signal for generating the first signal S1.

[0048] The processor 142 compares the determined change with a plurality of predetermined changes stored by the memory 144. For example, the processor 142 can use a reference table stored in the memory 144.

[0049] When the processor 142 confirms a match between the determined change and one of the plurality of predetermined changes, the processor 142 determines the consumable data based on the match. For example, if the determined change is a 5 dB attenuation of the signal output, the processor 142 compares the determined 5 dB change with a plurality of predetermined changes such as 5 dB, 10 dB, and 12 dB during use. In this example, the plurality of predetermined changes includes 5 dB as one of the predetermined changes, and thus the processor confirms the match and determines the consumable data associated with the 5 dB predetermined change.

[0050] The second signal can include an identifier of the signal change component 220, and the memory 144 can store predetermined identifiers for different signal change components and corresponding consumable data. When a match between the identifier of the second signal and one of the plurality of predetermined identifiers is confirmed by the processor, the consumable data associated with the matched predetermined identifier can be determined.

[0051] Referring now to FIG. 4, a flowchart of an exemplary method 300 for identifying a consumable such as a consumable 200 within an aerosol delivery device is shown.

[0052] Method 300 includes a first block 320 that transmits a first signal S1 from a transmitter 120 through at least a portion of a consumable 200 having a signal change component 220 to a receiver 130 spaced apart from the transmitter 120.

[0053] After transmission of the first signal S1, method 300 proceeds to block 340 where a second signal S2 is received by the receiver 130. The second signal S2 is the first signal S1 modified by interaction with the signal change component 220 of the consumable 200.

[0054] Next, method 300 proceeds to block 342 where the first signal S1 is compared with the second signal S2. After the comparison, at block 344, the change added to the first signal S1 is determined.

[0055] After the change is determined, method 300 proceeds to block 346 where the determined change is compared with a plurality of predetermined changes stored in memory 144 of device circuit 140. In the comparison at block 346, one or more of the signal strength, signal polarization, signal frequency, signal wavelength, and signal direction of the determined change can be compared with the signal strength, signal polarization, signal frequency, signal wavelength, and signal direction of the plurality of predetermined changes.

[0056] Next, at block 348, a query is created as to whether a match can be confirmed between the determined change and one of the plurality of predetermined changes. If no match is found, method 300 ends as indicated by the negative (no) branch. In some embodiments, if no match is found, a feedback signal can be generated to inform the user of aerosol delivery device 100 that consumable 200 is not recognized. This can help direct the user's attention to incorrect or non-genuine consumables. The feedback signal can be, for example, a visual signal, an auditory signal, or a tactile signal.

[0057] On the other hand, if a match is found, method 300 proceeds to block 360 as indicated by the positive (yes) branch, and consumable data is determined based on the matched change. The consumable data is stored in memory 144 of device circuit 140.

[0058] The change of the first signal S1 by the signal change component 220 for generating the second signal S2 is specific to the signal change component 220 of the consumable 200. Thus, by comparing the first signal S1 and the second signal S2 to identify the change to the first signal S1, and then matching the identified change with the predetermined changes, it becomes possible to identify the signal change component 220 and subsequently determine the consumable data of the consumable 200.

[0059] In some embodiments, if a match is found, a feedback signal can be generated to inform the user of the aerosol delivery device 100 that the consumable 200 has been recognized. The signal can be a visual signal, an auditory signal, or a tactile signal.

[0060] Referring now to FIG. 5, a flowchart of another exemplary method 400 for identifying a consumable within an aerosol delivery device is shown. Method 400 is similar to method 300, but instead of determining a change in the signal, it directly determines the consumable data using a second signal.

[0061] Method 400 includes a first block 420 that transmits a first signal S1 from a transmitter 120 through at least a portion of the consumable 200 having a signal changing component 220 to a receiver 130 spaced apart from the transmitter 120.

[0062] After the first signal S1 is transmitted, method 400 proceeds to block 440 where a second signal S2 is received at the receiver 130. The second signal S2 is the first signal S1 that has been modified by interaction with the signal changing component 220 of the consumable 220.

[0063] Next, method 400 proceeds to block 445 where the second signal S2 is compared to a plurality of predetermined signals. The plurality of predetermined signals are stored in a memory 144 of the device circuitry 140. In the comparison of block 445, one or more of the signal strength, signal polarization, signal frequency, and signal direction of the second signal S2 can be compared to the signal strength, signal polarization, signal frequency, and signal direction of the plurality of predetermined signals.

[0064] After comparison, method 400 proceeds to block 448, where a query is created to determine whether a match can be confirmed between the second signal S2 and one of the plurality of predetermined signals. If no match is found, method 400 ends as indicated by the negative (no) branch. In some embodiments, if no match is found, a feedback signal can be generated to inform the user of the aerosol delivery device 100 that the consumable 200 is not recognized. The feedback signal can generate at least one of auditory, visual, or tactile feedback to the user.

[0065] On the other hand, if a match is found between the second signal S2 and one of the plurality of predetermined signals, method 400 proceeds to block 460 as indicated by the positive (yes) branch, and consumable data is determined based on the matching predetermined signal.

[0066] The signal change component 220 can achieve the matching of the second signal S2 with a specific one of the plurality of predetermined signals because it is one of the plurality of predetermined signal change components that each apply a change specific to the first signal S1. Thus, by matching the second signal S2 with the predetermined signal, it becomes possible to identify the signal change component 220 and then determine the consumable data of the consumable 200.

[0067] As an example, during use, the processor compares the signal output of the second signal with a plurality of predetermined signals having different signal outputs. If the plurality of predetermined signals includes the signal output of the second signal as one of the predetermined signal outputs, the processor confirms the match and determines the consumable data associated with the predetermined signal output. The consumable data associated with the signal output can, for example, indicate that the flavor of the consumable is peach and the manufacturing date is January 1, 2018.

[0068] In some examples, the foregoing method can be executed by a processing system. Such examples can include a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium containing a stored series of computer-readable instructions, where, when the computer-readable instructions are executed by a processor of an aerosol delivery device, the device executes any of the foregoing methods. For example, the method includes transmitting a first signal through at least a portion of an article from a transmitter to a receiver spaced apart from the transmitter, receiving a second signal at the receiver, where the second signal is the first signal modified by interaction with a signal modification component of the article, and determining article data from the second signal.

[0069] As used herein, the terms “flavor” and “flavoring” refer to materials that can be used to impart a desired taste or aroma in products for adult consumers, where permitted by local laws. These materials include extracts (e.g., licorice, hydrangea, Japanese cypress leaves, chamomile, fenugreek, clove, menthol, Japanese mint, aniseed, cinnamon, herbs, wintergreen, cherry, berry, peach, apple, rum, bourbon, scotch, whiskey, spearmint, peppermint, lavender, cardamom, celery, cascarilla, nutmeg, frankincense, bergamot, geranium, honey essence, rose oil, vanilla, lemon oil, orange oil, cassia, caraway, cognac, jasmine, ylang ylang, sage, perilla, bell pepper, ginger, anise, coriander, coffee, or peppermint oil from any species of the genus Mentha), flavor enhancers, bitter receptor site blockers, sensory receptor site activators or stimulants, sugars and / or alternative sugars (e.g., sucralose, acesulfame potassium, aspartame, saccharin, thaumatin, lactose, sucrose, glucose, fructose, sorbitol, or mannitol), and other additives such as charcoal, chlorophyll, minerals, vegetable substances, or breath fresheners. These can be imitation, synthetic or natural ingredients or mixtures thereof. These can be in any suitable form, such as an oil, liquid, solid, or powder. For example, a liquid, oil, or other such liquid flavoring can be impregnated into a porous solid material to impart flavor and / or other properties to the porous solid material. Thus, the liquid or oil becomes a component of the solid material into which it is impregnated.

[0070] The above embodiments should be understood as examples for explaining the present invention. Further embodiments of the present invention are also conceivable. It should be understood that any feature described in connection with any one embodiment can be used alone or in combination with any other feature described, and in combination with one or more features of any other embodiment, or as any combination of any other embodiments. Furthermore, it is also possible to use equivalents and modifications not described above without departing from the scope of the present invention defined in the appended claims.

Claims

1. 1. An aerosol delivery device comprising: a chamber for receiving an article including an aerosolizable material for delivery by the aerosol delivery device; A transmitter; a receiver spaced apart from the transmitter; Processor and Equipped with The processor, causing the transmitter, in use, to transmit a first signal through at least a portion of an article in the chamber to the receiver such that the receiver receives a second signal, the second signal being the first signal modified by interaction with a signal modifying component of the article; determining article data from the second signal The aerosol delivery device is configured as follows.

2. The aerosol delivery device of claim 1 , wherein the second signal includes an identifier of the signal-altering component, and the processor is configured to determine the article data based on the identifier.

3. The aerosol delivery device of claim 1 or 2, wherein the processor is configured to determine changes to the first signal by comparing the first signal with the second signal, and the determined changes are associated with the article data.

4. The aerosol delivery device of claim 2 or 3, wherein the processor is configured to determine the article data using a look-up table.

5. The item data is type, fragrance, Identifier, and supplier The aerosol delivery device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, comprising at least one of:

6. The aerosol delivery device of any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the transmitter is configured to generate an electric field.

7. The aerosol delivery device of any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the transmitter is configured to generate a magnetic field.

8. The aerosol delivery device of any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the transmitter is configured to transmit at least one of a radio frequency signal, an infrared signal, a visible light signal, and an ultraviolet signal.

9. The aerosol delivery device of any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the processor is configured to determine the presence of the article in the chamber based on the second signal.

10. an aerosolizable material; Signal modification components and An article comprising: An article, wherein the signal-modifying component is configured to modify a first signal transmitted through at least a portion of the article into a second signal indicative of article data.

11. The article of claim 10 , wherein the modification to the first signal by the signal-modifying component is unique to the signal-modifying component.

12. 12. The article of claim 10 or 11, wherein the signal-modifying component is configured to modify at least one of a signal strength, a signal polarization, a signal frequency, a signal wavelength, and a signal direction.

13. The article of any one of claims 10-12, wherein the signal-modifying component comprises at least one of a shield, a conductor, a diffraction grating, a reflector, and a polarizer.

14. An aerosol delivery device according to any one of claims 1 to 9; The article according to any one of claims 11 to 13. A system equipped with.

15. 15. The system of claim 14, comprising a plurality of articles according to any one of claims 11 to 13, each of said plurality of articles having a different respective signal-modifying component corresponding to different respective article data.

16. 1. A method for identifying an article in an aerosol delivery device, comprising: transmitting a first signal through at least a portion of the article from a transmitter to a receiver spaced apart from the transmitter; receiving a second signal at the receiver, the second signal being the first signal modified by interaction with a signal-modifying component of the article; determining article data from the second signal; A method comprising:

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